Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19: That Won’t Be A Problem

Amelia’s POV

Ryder’s face was tight when we finally left the dining hall. His hand stayed wrapped around mine, but I could feel the tension in his grip. The moment we were out of earshot of the elders, he stopped walking and turned to face me.

“Baby,” he said slowly, his voice low but firm, “why did you accept that challenge?”

His golden eyes searched mine, more confused than angry.

I swallowed hard, trying not to shrink under his stare. “Because… I can’t just keep hiding behind you. I know you can protect me, Ryder. I believe in that. But if I’m going to pretend to be your Luna, then I have to at least try to face some things on my own.”

For a second, Ryder didn’t say anything. He just looked at me like he was torn between scolding me and pulling me into his arms. Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head.

“You don’t get it,” he muttered. “I will never let you lose. Not this challenge, not anything. I’d burn down the whole damn forest before I let them humiliate you.”

My chest ached at the intensity in his tone, but I stayed quiet, waiting.

He softened just a little, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. “I heard what they used to say about you in Silverlight,” he muttered, his jaw tightening. “That you were so weak you couldn’t even hit a target. That Jasper made you stand there while Estrella used you as one.”

Shame burned in my chest, and I shifted uncomfortably, my eyes dropping.

Ryder squeezed my hand firmly. “That doesn’t mean you’re hopeless, Baby. It just means they never gave you a real chance. With proper training, you can learn–and I’ll make sure of it.”

The way he said it, so certain, almost made me believe I could actually do this.

Then his expression darkened again, and he released my hand. “I have to deal with some matters tonight. Rest for now. Tomorrow, we’ll start preparing.”

I nodded, even though my stomach was twisting into knots.

After Ryder left, I didn’t even make it back to my room before running into Camille. She was leaning casually against the wall near the courtyard, like she had been waiting for me.

“Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “The little Omega who thinks she can play Luna.”

stiffened, but kept walking, not giving her the reaction she clearly wanted.

Camille pushed off the wall and moved to block my path. Her eyes glinted with amusement. “Do you really think you stand a chance against me? I’ve never lost an archery match in my life. Never. You should just give up now before you embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”

My lips pressed into a thin line. I wanted to snap back, but my throat felt tight.

An older male elder walked up then, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked me up and down with open disdain before turning to Camille.

“She’s right. Camille is one of the best hunters in this pack. You?”

gaze landed back on me, sharp and dismissive. “You’re nothing but a weak Omega from another pack. Do you know what happens if you lose? You’ll be expelled from Pawmoon. Don’t waste our Alpha’s time.”

Camille smirked like his words were exactly what she wanted me to hear.

My hands clenched at my sides, but I forced myself not to back down. My heart was pounding, but one thought kept me standing there–if I ran now, they’d never stop seeing me as weak.

The week before the challenge passed in a blur. Ryder trained me personally, every single day. He was strict, but patient, making me shoot again and again until my arms ached.

“You’re picking this up faster than I expected,” Ryder said one evening, adjusting the angle of my elbow. His eyes narrowed slightly, curious. “Baby, tell me the truth. You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”

Heat crept to my cheeks. “Not… properly. Back in Silverlight, I wasn’t allowed to train. But sometimes, when no one was around, I borrowed a broken bow from the storage shed. I only had three arrows… I reused them every night.”

Something in his expression softened then, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he just said, “Good. Then you already have the will. Now you’ll have the skill.”

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Chapter 19: That Won’t Be A Problem

By the end of that week, I wasn’t exactly a pro, but I could hold my own.

And then, the day of the competition arrived.

The forest buzzed with low chatter as the Pack gathered. Elders stood in a line, their expressions tight and watchful. Camille rode up on a sleek black horse, bow strapped across her back, her eyes glittering with confidence.

She looked me over slowly, then laughed. “We’ll hunt on horseback. With bow and arrow. That should make it fair–since you can’t transform into a wolf.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd at her words, but she didn’t stop there. “Try no

to embarrass yourself too badly, Omega.”

I swallowed hard, mounting my horse with Ryder’s steadying hand. He whispered low enough for only me to hear. Remember what I taught you, Baby. Block out everything else. Just focus.”

I nodded, tightening my grip on the reins.

The elder raised his hand. “Begin!”

”

The moment the word left his mouth, Camille shot forward, her horse galloping across the clearing. Within seconds, she raised her bow and released. A rabbit crumpled to the ground. She sat tall in her saddle, smirking back at me.

“See that? One shot. This is why you should’ve stayed home.”

I kept my face calm, though my pulse thundered in my ears. Slowly, I drew an arrow, knocked it into place, and pulled the string back. I let my breath steady… then released.

The arrow whistled through the air, disappearing into the trees.

Camille burst into laughter. “You missed! You actually hit a tree!”

Whispers rose from the crowd. Some people frowned, others chuckled nervously.

But I didn’t move. “Look again,” I said quietly.

The elder walked forward, squinting at the tree. His eyes widened as he stepped around it. “Wait. She didn’t miss.”

Gasps followed. My arrow hadn’t just struck the tree. It had pierced clean through a rabbit hidden in the brush behind it.

I straightened in the saddle, my voice steady. “I might not have a wolf, but my archery isn’t a joke.”

Camille’s smirk slipped. For the first time, I saw a crack in her confidence. But then her eyes hardened, a cold glint flashing

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